US6014916A - Two part pinion pin for a differential assembly - Google Patents
Two part pinion pin for a differential assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US6014916A US6014916A US09/073,114 US7311498A US6014916A US 6014916 A US6014916 A US 6014916A US 7311498 A US7311498 A US 7311498A US 6014916 A US6014916 A US 6014916A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pinion pin
- differential
- assembly
- case
- recited
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H48/00—Differential gearings
- F16H48/12—Differential gearings without gears having orbital motion
- F16H48/14—Differential gearings without gears having orbital motion with cams
- F16H48/142—Differential gearings without gears having orbital motion with cams consisting of linked clutches using axially movable inter-engaging parts
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16H—GEARING
- F16H48/00—Differential gearings
- F16H48/12—Differential gearings without gears having orbital motion
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/19—Gearing
- Y10T74/19005—Nonplanetary gearing differential type [e.g., gearless differentials]
Definitions
- the present invention relates to differential assemblies for vehicles such as automobiles.
- Automobiles include differential assemblies to compensate for different wheel speeds when the vehicle moves in a non-linear path. For example, when an automobile is turning to the left or right, the radially inward wheels rotate at a speed that is lower than the speed of the outer wheels.
- the differential assembly allows different rotational speeds of the drive wheels when the vehicle is in a turn.
- the Performance Locker automatic positive-locking differential fits within a differential case and couples to the drive axles of the vehicle, the differential case having a ring member fastened thereto driven in rotation by a pinion member on the drive shaft of the vehicle.
- the Performance Locker differential includes a pair of drive members that engage a pair of coupler members through facing, inclined teeth. The coupler members are attached to the wheel axles. The drive members are coupled for rotation by the differential case by the differential pinion pin. Rotation of the vehicle drive shaft is translated to the wheel axles through the ring gear, case, pinion pin, drive members and mating coupler members.
- the pinion pin loosely fits within a pair of grooves in the side of each drive member opposite the inclined teeth.
- the grooves have inclined sides, with a width that is greater than the diameter of the pinion pin.
- the different speed initially causes the drive member associated with the faster wheel, if the engine is powering the vehicle, or the slower wheel if the engine is retarding the vehicle, to rotate away from contact with the pinion pin. This allows the drive member to move axially away from the respective coupler member if so encouraged.
- the drive and coupler members each have inclined teeth on the adjacent faces thereof.
- the drive member teeth climb and slide over the respective coupler member teeth so that the wheels can rotate at different speeds.
- Springs in the assembly bias each drive member into full engagement with the respective coupler member when the teeth on the drive member and coupler member realign.
- the pinion pin In some differential assemblies, particularly for high ring gear/pinion gear ratios, the pinion pin cannot be removed with the ring gear in position because of interference of the ring gear teeth with the pinion pin axial movement.
- the pinion pin in the Ford 7.5 inch (ring gear diameter) can be shifted axially so as to allow removal of the C clip holding the axle in position for axle removal, but the pinion pin cannot be fully removed without disassembly of the differential case bearing caps and then removal of the ring gear from the case. This in turn requires a skilled mechanic to re-setup the ring and pinion gear adjustment.
- One embodiment of the present invention is a differential assembly which includes a two part pinion pin that allows the pinion pin to be removed for parts service and/or replacement without removing the differential case and ring gear.
- the two part pinion pin allows removal of the pin in two pieces, each being rotated about its axis for insertion or removal to provide the best position for clearance with the ring gear.
- the two part pinion pin may be advantageously used with differentials of various kinds.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a differential assembly of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the assembly
- FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the assembly
- FIG. 4 is a side view showing a first part of the two part pin being placed into the assembly
- FIG. 5 is a top view showing the first part of the two part pin installed into the assembly
- FIG. 6 is a side view showing a second part of the two part pin being inserted into the assembly
- FIG. 7 is a top view showing the complete two part pin assembly installed into the differential assembly
- FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing the two part pin being attached to a case of the differential assembly
- FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 4, though illustrating the present invention as used in an open differential.
- One embodiment of the present invention is a differential assembly which includes a two part pinion pin.
- the ring gear interferes with the removal or replacement of the pinion pin, requiring the removal of the differential case from the differential housing and the removal of the ring gear from the differential case before the pinion pin may be removed or replaced. This in turn requires skillful re-setup of the ring gear and the pinion gear on the drive shaft for proper operation.
- the two part pinion pin once installed in such a differential, allows the two part pin to be removed and differential parts to be replaced without removing the differential case or ring member of the assembly.
- the differential assembly in a locking differential may include a coupler member that can be attached to a drive axle of a vehicle.
- the coupler member may be coupled to a drive member, the coupler member and the drive member being located within the inner cavity of the case.
- the ring member is attached to the case and engages a pinion gear on the drive shaft of the vehicle.
- the two part pinion pin couples the drive members to the case.
- the drive and/or coupler members can be replaced by initially installing the members into the case of the differential assembly.
- a first part of the two part pinion pin is then inserted into the pinion pin bore in the case at an angular orientation so as to clear the ring gear teeth and along a corresponding groove in the backside of a drive member.
- the first part of the two part pinion pin is then rotated 180° so that the second part of the two part pinion pin can be installed into the pinion pin bore at the same angular orientation for clearing the ring gear teeth as the first part was first inserted.
- the two part pinion pin is then attached to the case by a fastener.
- the first and second parts each have a width that is small enough to clear the space between the ring gear and the opening. Normally, the ring gear must be removed to install a pinion pin that does not have two part.
- the present invention thus allows the drive and/or coupler members to be replaced without removing the ring gear or differential case.
- FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a differential gear assembly 10 of the present invention incorporating a locking differential.
- the differential assembly 10 may be part of a rear drive train assembly 12 that is assembled into a vehicle such as an automobile.
- the rear drive train assembly 12 couples a pair of drive axles 14 to a drive shaft 16.
- the rear drive train assembly 12 translates rotation of the drive shaft 16 into a corresponding rotation of the drive axles 14 and the wheels (not shown) of the vehicle.
- the rear portion of the drive shaft 16 may have a pinion gear (not shown) that engages ring gear 18.
- the ring gear 18 is attached to a case 20.
- the ring gear 18 and case 20 are enclosed by a housing 22. Rotation of the drive shaft 16 rotates the ring gear 18 and causes the case 20 to spin about the axis of the drive axles 14.
- the case 20 has an inner cavity 23 which contains a pair of drive members 24 that are mated with a pair of coupler members 26.
- the coupler members 26 are attached to the wheel axles 14.
- the drive members 24 are secured to the case 20 by a two part pinion pin 28 so that rotation of the case 20 causes a corresponding rotation of the members 24.
- rotation of the drive members induce a corresponding rotation of the coupler members 26 and the wheel axles 14.
- the two part pinion pin 28 is attached to the case 20 by a fastener 30.
- the ring member 18 partially blocks the pinion pin 28. If the pinion pin 28 were solid, it could not be removed without detaching the ring member 18.
- the present invention provides the two part pin 28 which has a first part 34 and a second part 36. Each part 34 and 36 has a width that is small enough to allow each separate pinion pin part to be inserted into the pinion pin bore in the case 20 without interfering with the ring member 18. Thus the two part pinion pin 28 of the present invention can be removed and reinstalled without detaching the case and ring member 18.
- the second part 36 may have a groove 38 that receives a corresponding tongue 40 of the first part 34. The tongue 40 and groove 38 prevent relative movement between the parts in a radial direction and increase the stiffness and strength of the two part pin.
- FIG. 3 shows various components of the differential assembly 10.
- the coupler members 26 each include a center splined bore 42 that receives a corresponding splined end 44 of a drive axle 14.
- the drive axle 14 is secured between the coupler member 26 and the two part pin by a C clip 46.
- Each drive member 24 may have a slot 47, or groove, which allows a clip 46 to be attached to an axle 14 during assembly.
- Other differentials do not use C clips 46, but instead secure the axles in the wheel assemblies at the opposite end of the axles. If a C clip 46 is not used, the drive member slot 47, or groove, is eliminated.
- Each drive member 24 has a plurality of inclined teeth 48 that can mate with corresponding inclined teeth 50 of a coupler member 26.
- the assembly 10 may further have a pair of spacers 52 which align the drive members 24 with the coupler members 26.
- Each spacer 52 may have an annular lip 54 that is inserted into a corresponding annular recess 56 in the face of each coupler member 26. The spacers 52 extend into corresponding center openings 58 of each drive member 24.
- the first 34 and second parts 36 of the two part pinion pin 28 extend along grooves 60 in the backface of the drive members 24.
- the assembly 10 may further have springs 62 which bias the drive members 24 toward the coupler members 26.
- the grooves 60 are larger than the two part pinion pin 28 so that under powering or engine retarding conditions, the pinion pin 28 is slightly rotated about the center line of the drive axles relative to one or both of the drive members 24 so that the pinion pin parts engage the drive member grooves 60 of one or both drive members to transmit power to the drive axle or axles.
- the two part pinion pin 28 rotates away from one of the drive members 24, providing clearance between the two part pinion pin and the drive member groove so that the drive member 24 can move axially away from the coupler member 26.
- the teeth 48 and 50 are inclined so that the drive member teeth 48 climb and slip past the coupler member teeth 50 to allow differential rotation between the wheel axles 14.
- the springs 62 push the drive member 24 back into engagement with the coupler member 26 when the axles are no longer rotating at different speeds.
- the drive members 24 may have mating pins 64 and grooves 66 which limit the relative rotation between the drive member 24 and the pinion pin 28.
- the operation of the differential member assembly is also discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,246 and U.S. Application Ser. No. 08/962,235 filed on Oct. 31, 1997, pending, assigned to the same assignee of the present invention, and hereby incorporated by reference.
- FIGS. 4-8 show the installation of the two part pinion pin parts 34 and 36.
- the drive member 24 and/or coupler 26 members have been installed into the inner cavity 23 of the case 20.
- the first pinion pin part 34 is initially inserted into a bore 68 of the case 20 and then rotated 180°.
- the second pinion pin part 36 is then inserted into the bore 68.
- Both pinion pin parts 34 and 36 have a width which allows the parts to clear the ring member 18 when installed into the bore 68.
- the fastener 30 is eventually pushed through a clearance hole 70 of the case 20, holes 72 and 78 in the two part pinion pin parts, and screwed into a threaded hole 74 of the case 20 to complete the assembly 10.
- the pinion pin parts 34 and 36 may be attached together adjacent each end thereof by fastener 76 that extends through clearance holes 78 in the pinion pin part 36 and screws into threaded hole 72 in pinion pin part 34 and as shown in FIG. 3.
- the two part pinion pin is advantageous in such applications, as once installed, the two part pinion pin can be removed at any time without disassembly of the case from the housing and removal of the ring gear, allowing easy servicing and/or replacement of any of the internal gears.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Retarders (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (22)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/073,114 US6014916A (en) | 1998-05-05 | 1998-05-05 | Two part pinion pin for a differential assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/073,114 US6014916A (en) | 1998-05-05 | 1998-05-05 | Two part pinion pin for a differential assembly |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US6014916A true US6014916A (en) | 2000-01-18 |
Family
ID=22111818
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/073,114 Expired - Fee Related US6014916A (en) | 1998-05-05 | 1998-05-05 | Two part pinion pin for a differential assembly |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US6014916A (en) |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2002010616A1 (en) * | 2000-07-28 | 2002-02-07 | Asi Technologies, Inc. | Gear drive system having slip in spacer and method of use |
US6497027B1 (en) * | 2000-09-22 | 2002-12-24 | Spicer Technology, Inc. | Method for controlling axle shaft endplay in differential assembly |
US6792823B2 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2004-09-21 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Gear drive mechanism for office products |
US20050143213A1 (en) * | 2003-12-29 | 2005-06-30 | Asi Technologies, Inc. | Differential transaxle assembly |
US20060019788A1 (en) * | 2004-07-21 | 2006-01-26 | Eaton Corporation | Differential gear mechanism and improved axle retention arrangement therefor |
US20060040781A1 (en) * | 2004-08-17 | 2006-02-23 | Asi Technologies, Inc. | Differential drive system |
US20090048055A1 (en) * | 2007-08-17 | 2009-02-19 | American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. | Differential With Cross Pin Retention System And Method For Assembly |
USD835165S1 (en) | 2016-10-21 | 2018-12-04 | Torq-Masters Industries, Inc. | Automatic locking differential |
USD848497S1 (en) | 2017-09-14 | 2019-05-14 | Torq-Masters, Inc. | Axle gear |
USD885450S1 (en) | 2017-05-15 | 2020-05-26 | Torq-Masters Industries, Inc | Vehicular differential replacement device |
US10731742B2 (en) | 2017-12-08 | 2020-08-04 | Torq-Masters Industries, Inc | Axle coupler with ring recess |
USD906388S1 (en) | 2019-06-11 | 2020-12-29 | Torq-Masters Industries, Inc. | Automatic locking differential |
US11287028B2 (en) * | 2018-05-07 | 2022-03-29 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Assembly for securing the axial position of a sun gear of a planetary gearing stage on a rotor shaft of an electrical machine, and use of such an assembly |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4182201A (en) * | 1977-08-01 | 1980-01-08 | Fmc Corporation | Differential with floating pinion pin |
US5603246A (en) * | 1995-10-24 | 1997-02-18 | Zentmyer; John | Locking differential with radial dampening |
-
1998
- 1998-05-05 US US09/073,114 patent/US6014916A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4182201A (en) * | 1977-08-01 | 1980-01-08 | Fmc Corporation | Differential with floating pinion pin |
US5603246A (en) * | 1995-10-24 | 1997-02-18 | Zentmyer; John | Locking differential with radial dampening |
Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6792823B2 (en) * | 2000-03-31 | 2004-09-21 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Gear drive mechanism for office products |
WO2002010616A1 (en) * | 2000-07-28 | 2002-02-07 | Asi Technologies, Inc. | Gear drive system having slip in spacer and method of use |
US6626788B2 (en) | 2000-07-28 | 2003-09-30 | Asi Technologies, Inc | Gear drive system having slip-in spacer and method of use |
US6497027B1 (en) * | 2000-09-22 | 2002-12-24 | Spicer Technology, Inc. | Method for controlling axle shaft endplay in differential assembly |
US20050143213A1 (en) * | 2003-12-29 | 2005-06-30 | Asi Technologies, Inc. | Differential transaxle assembly |
US20060019788A1 (en) * | 2004-07-21 | 2006-01-26 | Eaton Corporation | Differential gear mechanism and improved axle retention arrangement therefor |
US7104912B2 (en) * | 2004-07-21 | 2006-09-12 | Eaton Corporation | Differential gear mechanism and improved axle retention arrangement therefor |
US20060258500A1 (en) * | 2004-07-21 | 2006-11-16 | Morgensai Keith E | Differential gear mechanism and improved axle retention arrangement therefor |
US7361115B2 (en) | 2004-07-21 | 2008-04-22 | Eaton Corporation | Differential gear mechanism and improved axle retention arrangement therefor |
US20060040781A1 (en) * | 2004-08-17 | 2006-02-23 | Asi Technologies, Inc. | Differential drive system |
US20090048055A1 (en) * | 2007-08-17 | 2009-02-19 | American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. | Differential With Cross Pin Retention System And Method For Assembly |
US7648438B2 (en) | 2007-08-17 | 2010-01-19 | American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. | Differential with cross pin retention system and method for assembly |
US20100113207A1 (en) * | 2007-08-17 | 2010-05-06 | American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. | Differential With Cross Pin Retention System And Method For Assembly |
US7976422B2 (en) | 2007-08-17 | 2011-07-12 | American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. | Differential with cross pin retention system and method for assembly |
USD835165S1 (en) | 2016-10-21 | 2018-12-04 | Torq-Masters Industries, Inc. | Automatic locking differential |
USD885450S1 (en) | 2017-05-15 | 2020-05-26 | Torq-Masters Industries, Inc | Vehicular differential replacement device |
USD848497S1 (en) | 2017-09-14 | 2019-05-14 | Torq-Masters, Inc. | Axle gear |
US10731742B2 (en) | 2017-12-08 | 2020-08-04 | Torq-Masters Industries, Inc | Axle coupler with ring recess |
US11287028B2 (en) * | 2018-05-07 | 2022-03-29 | Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG | Assembly for securing the axial position of a sun gear of a planetary gearing stage on a rotor shaft of an electrical machine, and use of such an assembly |
USD906388S1 (en) | 2019-06-11 | 2020-12-29 | Torq-Masters Industries, Inc. | Automatic locking differential |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: VEHICULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TYSON, MARK V.;REEL/FRAME:009154/0262 Effective date: 19980505 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: COMERICA BANK, MICHIGAN Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VEHICULAR TECHNOLOGIES, D/B/A POWERTRAX;REEL/FRAME:010942/0942 Effective date: 20000421 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION, WISCONSIN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VEHICULAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. D/B/A POWERTRAX;REEL/FRAME:013333/0469 Effective date: 20020912 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20040118 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: VEHICULAR TECHNOLOGIES D/B/A POWERTRAX, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:COMERICA BANK;REEL/FRAME:027272/0102 Effective date: 20111122 |